“If you create demand, all other problems will solve themselves”- Tigran Lalayan

Recently, industrial designer Tigran Lalayan’s workshop took place at AEON. Two days in a row Tigran was sharing his experience and knowledge of digital sketching, as well as was teaching the techniques of drawing with Photoshop.

Tigran works and lives in Italy. He got his bachelor’s degree from Yerevan State University of Architecture, and then continued his education in Milan. This is already the third year that he is engaged in car exterior design in Italy.

We decided to speak with Tigran and find out the details of the meeting that had taken place at AEON.

-Tigran, tell us what was happening at AEON for two days?

- Approximately two months ago, in the scope of Hartak festival, I was lecturing about Industrial Design, during which I was transferring both theoretical and practical knowledge. I saw that the audience was more interested in practical details. Therefore, we decided to conduct a two-day workshop at AEON and explore Photoshop drawing techniques.

-Lets speak about the topic. What opportunities does digital sketching give and how is it different from analog sketching?

-Hand painting is mainly for professionals. Designers can make sketches and show them to each other, but we cannot show these sketches to clients. We need to show something that will allow the client to have a clear idea. Of course, one might ask whether it is not visible in the sketch. It is visible, but clients need a big imagination to be able to fill in the image and to understand what the matter is all about. Before the introduction of computers and digital sketching, the same work was done by hand. There was an illustrator that could get the image approximately in a week. Now, due to Photoshop we do it in a very short term. During manual work, traditional media such as gouaches, markers are being used. Therefore, if you make a mistake, you should start again. Photoshop capabilities allow avoiding such cases.

-The main shortcoming is that many people, who start drawing with Photoshop, cannot draw on paper. I think, nothing can replace the feeling of drawing on paper. If you can draw on paper, you can draw with Photoshop: you just need to master some tools and techniques.

- Tigran, in Italy you are engaged in car exterior design. How did this field interest you?

-It’s an interesting question, as I have always been interested in car design, even when I didn’t even know that there is such profession with its name and directions. I wanted to do car design. I got an offer to be become an engineer, but then it turned out that I was too creative for being an engineer and there was no need to limit me. Out of all available options, I decided to apply to the University of Architecture. I think, architecture is so large sphere that it includes all other spheres. After getting Bachelor’s degree, when I saw that there are real opportunities, I decided to make a career shift from architect to a car designer. Of course, other problems came forward, but everything depends on trying. You have to constantly try: I could do it after the third time.

- In what country do you imagine yourself some years later?

-To tell the truth, I don’t image my future in Italy. I cannot say that I will surely return to Armenia. I will travel the world, as the culture of design demands to live and feel the country where you work. For example, after living and working in Italy for four years, I already have a connection with local people. I admit it as a compliment when people say that my image is in Italian style, which means they don’t differentiate it was drawn by an Italian or Armenian. Of course, drawing like Italians has never been a goal for me.

-As you studied both in Armenia and Italy, what problems and shortcomings did you notice in education?

-Of course, there are shortcomings, but they are not as many and different as people present them. When I was communicating with different students, I was trying to understand where that golden place is, that has everything in it. I understood that there doesn’t exist a perfect place, as educational sphere also became one part of business.

In Armenia, the main advantage and shortcoming is that we still use the Soviet system of education. The shortcoming is that at the end we are not taught to use the information. The culture of practice is also very weak. And the advantage is that we have many practical classes and during the first years we draw only by hand. As a result, we have very good technical preparedness. In other countries more attention is paid to the development of thinking. I think, it would be best to combine theoretical and practical work that will be strengthened by 3-6 month long internship during which the students will understand how they can use their knowledge.

-What will you advise students who are starting their career in design?

-The most important thing is hard work. The sphere of design demands hard work, patience and dedication. Students need to get help from their parents. They should never say that it is a useless profession and there is no demand for it in Armenia. People might be discouraged and never believe in their dreams. Of course, in order to continue education abroad, people need money. However, there are many funds that help students. Therefore, they need to try.

Besides, there are many sources in Internet that teach to use different programs. Students need to know how to use these sources.

I think, there is no need to be afraid. Today the world is very open. If you create demand, all other problems will solve themselves.

“If you create demand, all other problems will solve themselves”- Tigran Lalayan

Recently, industrial designer Tigran Lalayan’s workshop took place at AEON. Two days in a row Tigran was sharing his experience and knowledge of digital sketching, as well as was teaching the techniques of drawing with Photoshop.

Tigran works and lives in Italy. He got his bachelor’s degree from Yerevan State University of Architecture, and then continued his education in Milan. This is already the third year that he is engaged in car exterior design in Italy.

We decided to speak with Tigran and find out the details of the meeting that had taken place at AEON.

-Tigran, tell us what was happening at AEON for two days?

- Approximately two months ago, in the scope of Hartak festival, I was lecturing about Industrial Design, during which I was transferring both theoretical and practical knowledge. I saw that the audience was more interested in practical details. Therefore, we decided to conduct a two-day workshop at AEON and explore Photoshop drawing techniques.

-Lets speak about the topic. What opportunities does digital sketching give and how is it different from analog sketching?

-Hand painting is mainly for professionals. Designers can make sketches and show them to each other, but we cannot show these sketches to clients. We need to show something that will allow the client to have a clear idea. Of course, one might ask whether it is not visible in the sketch. It is visible, but clients need a big imagination to be able to fill in the image and to understand what the matter is all about. Before the introduction of computers and digital sketching, the same work was done by hand. There was an illustrator that could get the image approximately in a week. Now, due to Photoshop we do it in a very short term. During manual work, traditional media such as gouaches, markers are being used. Therefore, if you make a mistake, you should start again. Photoshop capabilities allow avoiding such cases.

-The main shortcoming is that many people, who start drawing with Photoshop, cannot draw on paper. I think, nothing can replace the feeling of drawing on paper. If you can draw on paper, you can draw with Photoshop: you just need to master some tools and techniques.

- Tigran, in Italy you are engaged in car exterior design. How did this field interest you?

-It’s an interesting question, as I have always been interested in car design, even when I didn’t even know that there is such profession with its name and directions. I wanted to do car design. I got an offer to be become an engineer, but then it turned out that I was too creative for being an engineer and there was no need to limit me. Out of all available options, I decided to apply to the University of Architecture. I think, architecture is so large sphere that it includes all other spheres. After getting Bachelor’s degree, when I saw that there are real opportunities, I decided to make a career shift from architect to a car designer. Of course, other problems came forward, but everything depends on trying. You have to constantly try: I could do it after the third time.

- In what country do you imagine yourself some years later?

-To tell the truth, I don’t image my future in Italy. I cannot say that I will surely return to Armenia. I will travel the world, as the culture of design demands to live and feel the country where you work. For example, after living and working in Italy for four years, I already have a connection with local people. I admit it as a compliment when people say that my image is in Italian style, which means they don’t differentiate it was drawn by an Italian or Armenian. Of course, drawing like Italians has never been a goal for me.

-As you studied both in Armenia and Italy, what problems and shortcomings did you notice in education?

-Of course, there are shortcomings, but they are not as many and different as people present them. When I was communicating with different students, I was trying to understand where that golden place is, that has everything in it. I understood that there doesn’t exist a perfect place, as educational sphere also became one part of business.

In Armenia, the main advantage and shortcoming is that we still use the Soviet system of education. The shortcoming is that at the end we are not taught to use the information. The culture of practice is also very weak. And the advantage is that we have many practical classes and during the first years we draw only by hand. As a result, we have very good technical preparedness. In other countries more attention is paid to the development of thinking. I think, it would be best to combine theoretical and practical work that will be strengthened by 3-6 month long internship during which the students will understand how they can use their knowledge.

-What will you advise students who are starting their career in design?

-The most important thing is hard work. The sphere of design demands hard work, patience and dedication. Students need to get help from their parents. They should never say that it is a useless profession and there is no demand for it in Armenia. People might be discouraged and never believe in their dreams. Of course, in order to continue education abroad, people need money. However, there are many funds that help students. Therefore, they need to try.

Besides, there are many sources in Internet that teach to use different programs. Students need to know how to use these sources.

I think, there is no need to be afraid. Today the world is very open. If you create demand, all other problems will solve themselves.